Mud visor for roll-off film system

ABSTRACT

A mud visor formed by a substantially transparent sheet is attached to a goggle lens. The mud visor may be attached to the goggle lens using a substantially transparent adhesive or adhesive tape. Thus, the mud visor may provide clear and improved field of view for the user. Further, the mud visor may be configured to cover and guide a top portion of a roll-off film as the roll-off film is conveyed across the goggle lens. A top portion of the mud visor may be inserted into the lens groove of a goggle frame along with the goggle lens when the goggle lens is attached to the goggle frame. The mud visor also may stretch across the goggle lens and overlap with film canisters at both sides to provide a seamless coverage to prevent mud from entering behind the mud visor or the roll-off film.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/994,665, filed May 16, 2014 and entitled “Roll-OffFilm System” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/059,065,filed Oct. 2, 2014 and entitled “Mud Visor for Roll-Off Film System”which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

One or more embodiments relate generally to roll-off film systems and,more particularly, to the use of such film systems with sport goggles.

BACKGROUND

Sport goggles are worn by users for various sports or activities, suchas motorsports, powersports, snowsports, watersports, biking, or thelike, to protect users' eyes. A sport goggle may be installed with aroll-off film system to preserve a field of view on the lens of thesport goggle. In particular, the roll-off film system may stretch asection of a clear film across the lens of the sport goggle. When thesection of the clear film is filled with dirt or debris from the sportactivity, the roll-off film system may convey the used section of theclear film off the lens and a new section of the film may be conveyedonto the lens to provide a clear field of view for the user.

Nevertheless, dirt or mud still may enter through an interface betweenthe roll-off film system and the lens of the goggle. This may reduce thefield of view on the lens which may render the roll-off film systemineffective. As such, there is a need for an improved implementationthat may address one or more of these shortcomings.

SUMMARY

Mud visors for roll-off film systems and methods are provided inaccordance with one or more embodiments that may be installed on gogglelenses to provide improved field of vision for users. In an embodiment,a mud visor formed by a substantially transparent sheet is attached tothe goggle lens. The mud visor may be attached to the goggle lens usinga substantially transparent material. Thus, the mud visor may provideclear and improved field of view for the user. Further, the mud visormay be configured to cover and guide a top portion of the roll-off filmas the roll-off film is conveyed across the goggle lens. A top portionof the mud visor may be inserted into the lens groove of the goggleframe along with the goggle lens when the goggle lens is attached to thegoggle frame. The mud visor also may stretch across the goggle lens andoverlap with the film canisters at both sides to provide a seamlesscoverage to prevent mud from entering behind the mud visor or theroll-off film.

In an embodiment, film canisters of the roll-off film systems mayinclude contact portions configured to seamlessly contact the goggleframe or the adaptor to the goggle frame. Further, the film canistersmay include blade sections configured to remove mud or dirt from a usedsection of clear film when the used section is conveyed into the filmcanister to prevent excess mud or dirt from entering the film canister.The blade sections may also be configured to slant away from the fieldof view on the lens to allow the mud or dirt to fall away from the fieldof view on the lens to provide better field of view for the user.

In accordance with an embodiment, a roll-off film system may include afilm dispensing canister configured to store and dispense a film and afilm receiving canister configured to receive the film dispensed fromthe film dispensing canister. The film receiving canister may include ablade portion configured to cover the film when the film is conveyedinto the film receiving canister.

In accordance with an embodiment, the film receiving canister isattached to a lens and a surface of the blade portion forms an obtuseangle with a surface of the lens. In accordance with an embodiment, thefilm receiving canister further may include an upper wing portion and alower wing portion with the blade portion disposed between the upper andthe lower wing portions. The upper wing portion and the lower wingportion may extend further upstream in a film conveying direction of thefilm than the blade portion.

In accordance with an embodiment, an edge of the blade portion isconfigured to slide on the film when the film is conveyed into the filmreceiving canister. An upper portion of the edge protrudes furtherupstream in a film conveying direction than a lower portion of the edge.

In accordance with an embodiment, a goggle assembly may include a lens,a lens frame configured to receive the lens, and a roll-off film systemattached to the lens. The roll-off film system may include a filmdispensing canister configured to store and dispense a film across afront surface of the lens in a film conveying direction and a filmreceiving canister configured to receive the film dispensed across thefront surface of the lens from the film dispensing canister. The filmreceiving canister may include a blade portion configured to cover thefilm when the film is conveyed into the film receiving canister. In anembodiment, the lens frame is disposed in a front portion of a goggleframe. In another embodiment, the lens frame is an adaptor attachable toa goggle frame.

In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes conveying a filmfrom a film dispensing canister across a front surface of a lens to afilm receiving canister, and collecting debris on the film at a bladeportion of the film receiving canister before the film is conveyed intothe film receiving canister. The method also includes directing thedebris collected on the blade portion away from a field of view of thelens by a slanting edge of the blade portion.

The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, which areincorporated into this Summary by reference. A more completeunderstanding of embodiments of the invention will be afforded to thoseskilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantagesthereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of oneor more embodiments. Reference will be made to the appended sheets ofdrawings that will first be described briefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of a roll-off film systeminstalled on a goggle, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective front view of the roll-off film system ofFIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective rear view of the roll-off film system of FIG.1, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows an exposed view of the roll-off film system of FIG. 1, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view a ratchet mechanism, in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective front view of front casings, in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective rear view of the front casings of FIG. 6, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective front view of rear casings, in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective rear view of the rear casings of FIG. 8, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective front view of a roll-off film systemattached to a lens, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows another perspective front view of the roll-off film systemattached to the lens of FIG. 10, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective rear view of the roll-off film systemattached to the lens of FIG. 10, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective top view of the roll-off film systemattached to the lens of FIG. 10, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a front view of the roll-off film system attached to thelens of FIG. 10, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective front view of a roll-off film systemattached to an adaptor, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective front view of a roll-off film systemattached to an adaptor and a goggle frame, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective bottom view of the roll-off film systemattached to the adaptor and the goggle frame of FIG. 16, in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 18 shows a perspective front view of a mud visor, in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective side view of the mud visor of FIG. 18, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of a mud visor attached to a gogglelens, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 21 shows a perspective side view of the mud visor of FIG. 20attached to the goggle lens, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 22 shows a perspective front view a mud visor attached to a gogglelens with substantially transparent material, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 23 shows a mud visor attached to a goggle lens which is attached toan adaptor, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 24 shows a cross sectional view of the mud visor attached to thegoggle lens and the adaptor taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 23, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of a mud visor and a roll-off filmsystem attached to a lens and an adaptor, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of a double-layer mud visor, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 27 shows a perspective view of an inner layer of the double-layermud visor of FIG. 26, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of the inner layer of the double-layermud visor of FIG. 27 with a layer spacer, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of the double-layer mud visor of FIG.26 attached to a goggle lens, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 30 shows a perspective view of the double-layer mud visor of FIG.26 attached to the goggle lens and to an adaptor, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 31 shows a cross sectional view of the double-layer mud visor,goggle lens, and adaptor assembly taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 32 shows a perspective view of a double-layer mud visor and aroll-off film system attached to a lens and an adaptor, in accordancewith an embodiment.

Embodiments of the invention and their advantages are best understood byreferring to the detailed description that follows. It should beappreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify likeelements illustrated in one or more of the Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A roll-off film system configured to attach to a goggle frame or anadaptor to a goggle frame is disclosed in accordance with variousembodiments. The roll-off film system may include a film dispensingcanister configured to dispense a film across a goggle lens to a filmreceiving canister. In particular, the film receiving canister mayinclude a blade portion configured to collect dirt or debris landed onthe film before the film is conveyed into the film receiving canister.The blade portion may have an edge sloping away from a field of view ofthe goggle lens with respect to a film conveying direction, such thatthe dirt or debris collected on the blade section may be guided awayfrom the field of view of the goggle lens to improve a user's viewthrough the goggle lens. The film dispensing canister also may include asimilar blade portion.

According to an embodiment, each of the film dispending canister and thefilm receiving canister may include an upper wing portion configured toextend over a mud flap of the goggle lens to prevent dirt or debris fromentering an interface between the canister and the film. Each of thefilm dispending canister and the film receiving canister also mayinclude a lower wing section configured to extend under a lower portionof the section of the film stretched across the goggle lens. Thus, theupper wing sections, the lower wing sections, and the blade portions ofthe film dispensing and receiving canisters, and the mud flap on thegoggle lens effectively form a continuously barrier to prevent dirt ordebris from entering between the film and the goggle lens.

In an embodiment, a front surface of the blade portion of the filmreceiving canister may form an obtuse angle with the goggle lens, suchthat the blade section may act as a shovel to pick up the dirt or debrislanded on the film when the film is conveyed into the film receivingcanister. Thus, the blade section may prevent or reduce the amount ofdirt or debris on the film from entering the film receiving canisterwith the film.

In an embodiment, a mud visor formed by a substantially transparentsheet is attached to the goggle lens. The mud visor may be attached tothe goggle lens using a substantially transparent adhesive or adhesivetape. In particular, the adhesive or the adhesive tape is applied alonga perimeter area of the mud visor, leaving the center area of the mudvisor free from adhesives. In another embodiment, the substantiallytransparent adhesive, such as optical adhesive, may also be applied tothe center area of the mud visor. Thus, the mud visor may provide clearand improved field of view for the user. Further, the mud visor may beconfigured to cover a top portion of the roll-off film conveyed acrossthe goggle lens. A top portion of the mud visor may be inserted into thelens groove of the goggle frame along with the goggle lens when thegoggle lens is attached to the goggle frame. Thus, the mud visor mayprevent mud from entering behind the mud visor from the top side. Themud visor also may stretch across the goggle lens and overlap with thefilm canisters at both sides to provide a seamless coverage to preventmud from entering behind the roll-off film.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of a roll-off film systeminstalled on a goggle, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown inFIG. 1, a goggle frame 106 may be installed with a roll-off film system102. In particular, the roll-off film system 102 may be installed to thegoggle frame 106 via an adaptor 104. The adaptor 104 may adapt thegoggle frame 106 to use different goggle lenses and/or accessories. Forexample, the adaptor 104 may adapt the goggle frame 106 to use lenses ofdifferent sizes, shapes, curvatures, and the like. The adaptor 104 alsomay adapt the goggle frame 106 to use roll-off film systems of differentfilm sizes.

The roll-off film system 102 may be attached to the lens 108, which isinstalled in the adaptor 104. The adaptor 104 may be attached to thegoggle frame 106. In some embodiments, the lens 108 may be installeddirectly to the goggle frame 106, without the adaptor 104. Thus, theroll-off film system 102 may be installed on the goggle frame 106without using the adaptor 104. The roll-off film system 102 may stretcha section of a film on the lens 108. When the section of the filmbecomes filled with dirt or debris, the used section of the film may beconveyed off the lens 108 and a new section of the film may replace theused section of the film to provide the user with clear field of view onthe lens 108.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show perspective front and rear views of the roll-off filmsystem of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2and 3, the roll-off film system 102 may include a film dispensingcanister 202 and a film receiving canister 204. The film dispensingcanister 202 may dispense a section of a film 206 across the lens 108toward the film receiving canister 204. The film receiving canister 204may receive the film 206 from the film dispensing canister 202. The filmreceiving canister 204 may include a pull cord handle 224, which isattached to an end of a string configured to drive a conveyance of thefilm 206 from the film dispensing canister 202 to the film receivingcanister 204 in a film conveying direction 290. For example, when thesection of the film 206 resting on the lens 108 becomes filled with dirtor debris, a user may pull the pull cord handle 224 to roll the usedsection of the film 206 into the film receiving canister 204 and toconvey a new section of the film 206 onto the lens 108 to provide clearfield of view on the lens 108.

The film dispensing canister 202 may include a film storage portion 208within which the film 206 may be stored. The film dispensing canister202 also may include an upper wing portion 212, a lower wing portion216, and a blade portion 214 disposed between the upper wing portion 212and the lower wing portion 216. The upper wing portion 212 and the lowerwing portion 216 may protrude further downstream in the film conveyingdirection 290 than the blade portion 214. The film 206 may exit the filmdispensing canister 202 through an opening at the blade portion 214.

The film receiving canister 204 may include a film storage portion 210within which the film 206 received from the film dispensing canister 202may be stored. The film receiving canister 204 also may include an upperwing portion 218, a lower wing portion 222 and, a blade portion 220disposed between the upper wing portion 218 and the lower wing portion222. The upper wing portion 218 and the lower wing portion 222 mayprotrude further upstream in the film conveying direction 290 than theblade portion 220. The film 206 may be conveyed into the film receivingcanister 204 through an opening at the blade portion 220. As shown inFIG. 3, the film dispensing canister 202 may include a lens attachmentmechanism 310 configured to attach the film dispensing canister 202 tothe lens 108. Similarly, the film receiving canister 204 may include alens attachment mechanism 312 configured to attach the film receivingcanister 204 to the lens 108.

FIG. 4 shows an exposed view of the roll-off film system of FIG. 1, inaccordance with an embodiment. The film dispensing canister 202 mayinclude a film dispensing axle 402 disposed in the film storage portion208. Unused sections of the film 206 may be wound around the filmdispensing axle 402 into a roll. The film dispensing axle 402 may rotateto unwind particular sections of the film 206 as the particular sectionsof the film 206 are dispensed from the film dispensing canister 202. Thefilm receiving canister 204 may include a film receiving axle 404disposed in the film storage portion 210. Used sections of the film 206may be wound around the film receiving axle 404 into a roll. The filmreceiving axle 404 may be driven by a pull cord to rotate and to windthe film 206 into the film receiving canister 204. A pull cord housing406 may be disposed under the film receiving axle 404.

As shown in FIG. 5, a ratchet mechanism assembly 502 may be providedwithin the pull cord housing 406. The ratchet mechanism assembly 502 mayinclude a ratchet 506 configured to transfer a pull force from a pullcord to the film receiving axle 402. A pull cord (not shown) connectedto the pull cord handle 224 may be wound and stored under the ratchet506 in the pull cord housing 406. When the user 224 pulls on the pullcord handle 224, the pull cord is unwound which may cause the ratchet506 and the film receiving axle 404 to rotate. As the film receivingaxle 404 rotates, additional sections of the film 206 may be wound ontothe film receiving axle 404. This may cause a conveying motion along thefilm 206 which pulls a new section of the film 206 from the filmdispensing canister 202 onto the lens 108. The ratchet mechanismassembly 502 may include a pull cord retracting mechanism (not shown)configured to automatically rewind the cord into the pull cord housing406 after the cord is pulled. Thus, the cord may be ready to be pulledfor conveying the next section of the film 206 onto the lens 108.

The film dispensing canister 202 may be formed by a front casing 602, asshown in FIG. 6, coupled to a rear casing 410, as shown in FIG. 4. Thefront casing 602 and the rear casing 410 may form a cavity for storingunused sections of the film 206. Similarly, the film receiving canister204 may be formed by a front casing 604, as shown in FIG. 6, coupled toa rear casing 412, as shown in FIG. 4. The front casing 604 and the rearcasing 412 may form a cavity for storing used sections of the film 206.The casings 602, 410, 604, and 412 may be formed with certain plasticresin, such as polycarbonate. In other embodiments, the casings may beformed with metal, synthetic material, bio-material, or the like. Thecasings may be formed by injection molding. In other embodiments, thecasings may be formed by three-dimensional (3D) printing.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show perspective front and rear views of the frontcasings, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the frontcasing 602 of the film dispensing canister 202 may include a couplingmechanism 616 configured to couple the front casing 602 to the rearcasing 410. Similarly, the front casing 604 of the film receivingcanister 204 may include a coupling mechanism 618 configured to fix thefront casing 604 to the rear casing 412. Coupling mechanisms 616 and 618each may include a deformable hook.

The upper wing portion 212 of the front casing 602 may include atriangular shaped surface 610. The blade portion 214 of the front casing602 may include a sloping surface 606. The lower wing portion 216 of thefront casing 602 may include a triangular shaped surface 614. Thetriangular shaped surface 610 may curve from facing down at a topportion thereof to facing a horizontal direction at a lower portionthereof. The triangular shaped surface 614 may curve from facing thehorizontal direction at a top portion thereof to facing up at a lowerportion thereof. The triangular shaped surface 610, the sloping surface606, and the triangular shaped surface 614 may form a continuous, broadU-shaped surface. A tear-off pin 620 may be disposed on the slopingsurface 606 at which a user may pull to separate the front casing 602from the rear casing 410.

The upper wing portion 218 of the front casing 604 may include atriangular shaped surface 612. The blade portion 220 of the front casing604 may include a sloping surface 608. The lower wing portion 222 of thefront casing 604 may include a triangular shaped surface 616. Thetriangular shaped surface 612 may curve from facing down at a topportion thereof to facing a horizontal direction at a lower portionthereof. The triangular shaped surface 616 may curve from facing thehorizontal direction at a top portion thereof to facing up at a lowerportion thereof. The triangular shaped surface 612, the sloping surface608, and the triangular shaped surface 616 may form a continuous, broadU-shaped surface. Tear-off pins 622 and 624 may be disposed on frontcasing 604 at which a user may pull to separate the front casing 604from the rear casing 412. Referring to FIG. 7, a protruding plate 710may be disposed in front casing 604. The protruding plate 710 may bepositioned in such a manner as to guide the film 206 that is beingconveyed into the film receiving canister 204. In some embodiments, theprotruding plate 710 may provide additional tension to the film 206 tohold the film 206 tightly on the lens 108.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show perspective front and rear views of rear casings, inaccordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, rear casing 410 mayinclude a side loop 810 configured to receive and retain the couplingmechanism 616 of front casing 602. For example, the deformable hook ofthe coupling mechanism 616 may be inserted through the side loop 810 tocouple the front casing 602 to the rear casing 410. The deformable hookmay hook onto the loop 810 to retain the front casing 602 to the rearcasing 410. The rear casing 410 also may include two lens attachmentopenings 814 through which the lens attachment mechanism 310 may beinserted.

Similarly, rear casing 412 may include a side loop 812 configured toreceive and retain the coupling mechanism 618 of front casing 604. Forexample, the deformable hook of the coupling mechanism 618 may beinserted through the side loop 812 to couple the front casing 604 to therear casing 412. The deformable hook may hook onto the loop 812 toretain the front casing 604 to the rear casing 412. The rear casing 412also may include two lens attachment openings 816 through which the lensattachment mechanism 312 may be inserted.

Referring to FIG. 9, the upper wing portion 212 of the rear casing 410may include an upper frame contacting surface 902. The upper framecontacting surface 902 may have a contour substantially conforming tothe area of the goggle frame 106 or adaptor frame 104 where the rearcasing 410 contacts. The blade portion 214 of the rear casing 410 mayinclude a lens contacting surface 906. Two lens attachment openings 814may form through the lens contacting surface 906. The lens contactingsurface 906 may have a contour substantially conforming to the area ofthe lens 108 where the rear casing 410 contacts. The lower wing portion216 of the rear casing 410 may include a lower frame contacting surface910. The lower frame contacting surface 910 may have a contoursubstantially conforming to the area of the goggle frame 106 or adaptorframe 104 where the rear casing 410 contacts.

The upper wing portion 218 of the rear casing 412 may include an upperframe contacting surface 904. The upper frame contacting surface 904 mayhave a contour substantially conforming to the area of the goggle frame106 or adaptor frame 104 where the rear casing 412 contacts. The bladeportion 220 of the rear casing 412 may include a lens contacting surface908. Two lens attachment openings 816 may form through the lenscontacting surface 908. The lens contacting surface 908 may have acontour substantially conforming to the area of the lens 108 where therear casing 412 contacts. The lower wing portion 222 of the rear casing412 may include a lower frame contacting surface 912. The lower framecontacting surface 912 may have a contour substantially conforming tothe area of the goggle frame 106 or adaptor frame 104 where the rearcasing 412 contacts.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show perspective front views of a roll-off film systemattached to a lens, in accordance with an embodiment. Lens 108 mayinclude a mud flap 1008 disposed on and across the front-top portion ofthe lens 108. The mud flap 1008 may prevent dirt or mud from drippingdown and entering between the film 206 and the front surface of the lens108. As shown in FIG. 10, the upper wing portion 218 of the filmreceiving canister 204 may extend over a right end portion 1012 of themud flap 1008. Thus, the upper wing portion 218 may prevent mud fromentering between the mud flap 1008 and the film receiving canister 204and dripping downward into the film 206. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 11,the upper wing portion 212 of the film dispensing canister 202 mayextend over the left end portion 1014 of the mud flap 1008. Thus, theupper wing portion 212 may prevent mud from entering between the mudflap 1008 and the film dispensing canister 202 and dripping downwardinto the film 206. Accordingly, the upper wing portions 212, and 218,the blade portions 214 and 220, the lower wing portions 216 and 222, andthe mud flap 1008 may form a barrier surrounding the section of film 206covering the lens 108 to prevent mud or dirt from entering between thefilm 206 and the lens 108.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective rear view of the roll-off film systemattached to the lens of FIG. 10, in accordance with an embodiment. Filmdispensing canister 202 may be attached to the lens 108 by lensattachment mechanism 310. The lens attachment mechanism 310 may includea strap with pins on both ends of the strap. The pins may be insertedthrough two openings in the lens 108 to fasten the strap through theopenings to the film dispensing canister 202. The lens contactingsurface 906 of the film dispensing canister 202 may have a contoursubstantially conforming to that of the lens 108 to seamlessly contactthe lens 108. Similarly, film receiving canister 204 may be attached tothe lens 108 by lens attachment mechanism 312. The lens attachmentmechanism 312 may include a strap with pins on both ends of the strap.The pins may be inserted through two openings in the lens 108 to fastenthe strap through the openings to the film receiving canister 204. Thelens contacting surface 908 of the film receiving canister 204 may havea contour substantially conforming to that of the lens 108 to seamlesslycontact the lens 108.

Referring to FIG. 13, the sloping surface 608 of the blade portion 220of the film receiving canister 204 may form an obtuse angle with thefront surface of the lens 108. As such, dirt or mud collected on thefilm 206 may be removed and collected on the sloping surface 608 of theblade portion 220 when the film 206 is conveyed through the bladeportion 220 into the film receiving canister 204. This may effectivelyprevent excess amounts of mud or dirt from entering into the filmreceiving canister 204 and may prolong the use of the roll-off filmsystem 102.

Referring to FIG. 14, an edge of the sloping surface 608 of the bladeportion 220 of the film receiving canister 204 may slant away from thefield of view at the lower portion of the edge. Thus, the edge may forman angle with a vertical reference line, such that the upper portion ofthe edge of the sloping surface 608 may be positioned more upstream inthe film conveying direction 290 than the lower portion of the edge ofthe sloping surface 608. Thus, mud or debris collected on the slopingsurface 608 may fall down and be directed away from the field of view,instead of remaining on the sloping surface 608. Similarly, an edge ofthe sloping surface 606 of the blade portion 214 of the film dispensingcanister may slant away from the field of view at the lower portion ofthe edge. For example, the upper portion of the edge of the slopingsurface 606 may be positioned more downstream in the film conveyingdirection 290 than the lower portion of the edge of the sloping surface606. Thus, mud or debris collected on the sloping surface 606 may falldown and away from the field of view.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective front view of a roll-off film systemattached to an adaptor, in accordance with an embodiment. The lens 108may be installed in the adaptor 104 and the roll-off film system 102 maybe installed on the lens 108. As shown in FIG. 15, the frame contactingsurface 902 of the upper wing portion 212 may have a contour conformingto that of the adaptor 104 to seamlessly contact the adaptor 104.Similarly, the frame contacting surface 904 of the upper wing portion218 may have a contour conforming to that of the adaptor 104 toseamlessly contact the adaptor 104. Thus, mud or debris may be preventedfrom entering through the interface between the roll-off film system 102and the adaptor 104.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective front view of a roll-off film systemattached to an adaptor and a goggle frame, in accordance with anembodiment. The adaptor 104 installed with the roll-off film system 102may be installed into a goggle frame 106. The adaptor 104 may adapt thegoggle frame 106 to use various types of lenses and/or roll-off filmsystems. For example, the adaptor 104 may adapt the goggle frame 106 touse roll-off film systems of different film sizes, 35 mm film of 40 mmfilm.

As shown in FIG. 17, the frame contacting surface 910 of the lower wingportion 216 may have a contour conforming to that of the adaptor 104 toseamless contact the adaptor 104. Similarly, the frame contactingsurface 912 of the lower wing portion 222 may have a contour conformingto that of the adaptor 104 to seamless contact the adaptor 104. Thus,mud or debris may be prevented from entering through the interfacebetween the roll-off film system 102 and the adaptor 104.

In some embodiments, the roll-off film system 102 may be installed ontothe goggle frame 106 without using the adaptor 104. For example, thelens 108 may be installed onto the goggle frame 106 and the adaptor 104may be attached to the lens 108. The frame contacting surfaces 902, 904,910, and 912 may respectively conform to the contours of the goggleframe 106 to provide seamless contact between the canisters 202 and 204and the goggle frame 106 to prevent mud or debris intrusion.

As noted above, mud flap 1008 may be utilized to prevent mud or debrisfrom entering between roll-off film 206 and goggle lens 108. In someembodiments, mud visors may be utilized in lieu of mud flap 1008 toguard against mud or debris. FIG. 18 shows a perspective front view of amud visor 1800, in accordance with an embodiment. Mud visor 1800 may beformed of a substantially clear or transparent plastic sheet or plasticfilm. In some embodiments, mud visor 1800 may be manufactured by plasticstamping from a plastic sheet or film and then thermally molded to haveparticular contours or bends. As shown in FIG. 18, mud visor may includea lens contacting portion 1802 and a film covering portion 1804. Lenscontacting portion 1802 may be an upper portion of mud visor 1800 andthe film covering portion 1804 may be a lower portion of mud visor 1800.Lens contacting portion 1802 may be configured to attach to a front andtop surface of a goggle lens. As such, a top perimeter of lenscontacting portion 1802 may have a contour or shape similar to the topperimeter of the goggle lens 108. Lens contacting portion 1802 also mayinclude cutouts 1806 positioned along the top perimeter corresponding tothe positions and shapes of cutouts of the goggle lens 108. As such,lens contacting portion 1802 may match and attach to a top portion ofgoggle lens 108. When mud visor 1800 is not attached to goggle lens 108,mud visor 1800 may be substantially flat. Mud visor 1800 may be elasticand bendable to form a contour when attached to goggle lens 108 toconform with the curving surface of goggle lens 108.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective side view of the mud visor of FIG. 18, inaccordance with an embodiment. Film covering portion 1804 may have anoverhang portion 1904 and a film guiding portion 1902. Overhang portion1904 may protrude from lens contacting portion 1802 in a forwarddirection or in a direction away from goggle lens 108 when mud visor1800 is attached to goggle lens 108. Film guiding portion 1902 mayextend back from a distal end of the overhang portion 1902 or in adirection toward goggle lens 108 when mud visor 1800 is attached togoggle lens 108. Film covering portion 1804 may be formed by thermalmolding. Film covering portion 1804 may be configured to cover and guidethe section of roll-off film 206 (shown in broken line) resting ongoggle lens 108. In particular, the overhang portion 1904 may cover theroll-off film 206 from the top side to prevent mud from entering. Asshown in FIG. 19, an upper perimeter portion 206 a of the roll-off film206 may be covered by the film covering portion 1804 of mud visor 1800.Film guiding portion 1902 may contact or press the roll-off film 206onto the front surface 108 a of goggle lens 108 to ensure a tightcontact between the film covering portion 1804 and the roll-off film206. An enclosure 1910 may be formed between the film guiding portion1902, the overhang portion 1904 and the front surface 108 a of thegoggle lens 108 to accommodate the upper perimeter portion 206 a of theroll-off film 206. Further, as the roll-off film 206 is conveyed acrossthe front surface 108 a (a portion of which is shown as a broken linefor clarity) of goggle lens 108, film covering portion 1804 may guidethe top perimeter portion of the roll-off film 206 in a stable pathwithout moving vertically away from the path.

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of a mud visor attached to a gogglelens, in accordance with an embodiment. As noted above, when mud visor1800 is attached to lens 108, lens contacting portion 1802 may be bondedto a top, front surface of lens 108. Lens contacting portion 1802 mayhave a shape or contour that conforms to the shape or contour of lens108. Lens contacting portion 1802 of mud visor 1800 may include cutouts1806 that match the positions and shapes of corresponding cutouts onlens 108. Different types of mud visors may be designed and configuredfor different types of lenses according to their shapes and contours. Asshown in FIG. 20, film covering portion 1804 of mud visor 1800 covers atop perimeter portion of the roll-off film 206.

FIG. 21 shows a perspective side view of the mud visor of FIG. 20attached to the goggle lens, in accordance with an embodiment. Overhangportion 1904 of mud visor 1800 may protrude away from a front surface oflens 108 to form an overhang. Film contacting portion 1902 of mud visor1800 may extend back from the overhang toward the front surface of lens108. The overhang shape of film contacting portion 1902 may have abiasing force toward lens 108 when mud visor 1800 is attached to lens10. As such, film contacting portion 1902 may press a roll-off film 206onto lens 108. In some embodiments, mud visor 1800 is formed withplastic or an elastic material that may provide the biasing force topress the roll-off film 206.

FIG. 22 shows a perspective front view of a mud visor attached to agoggle lens with substantially transparent material, in accordance withan embodiment. Mud visor 1800 may be attached to a front surface of lens108 at the lens contacting portion 1802 by substantially transparentmaterial. For example, in some embodiments, a substantially transparentadhesive may be applied to a backside of lens contacting portion 1802 toattach lens contacting portion 1802 to lens 108. By using asubstantially transparent adhesive, the field of view through lens 108may not be obstructed by the adhesive at mud visor 1800. In someembodiments, substantially transparent adhesive tape may be used toattach lens contacting portion 1802 to lens 108. In particular, theadhesive tape may be applied around the perimeter portion 2200 of lenscontacting portion 1802, as shown in FIG. 22. By applying adhesive oradhesive tape only around the perimeter, more area of mud visor 1800 orlens 108 remains visible as part of the user's field of view, and is notobstructed by the adhesive or adhesive tape. Thus, the user's field ofview is improved. In another embodiment, the substantially transparentadhesive also may be applied to the center area of the lens contactingportion 1802. In particular, the optical adhesive may allow clear viewthrough the center area.

FIG. 23 shows a mud visor attached to a goggle lens which is attached toan adaptor, in accordance with an embodiment. Lens 108 attached with mudvisor 1800 may be inserted into a lens groove 2410 (See FIG. 24) ofadaptor 104 because mud visor 1800 is formed by a substantially thinplastic film or plastic sheet. Adaptor 104 may then be attached to agoggle frame 106. In some embodiments, lens 108 attached with mud visor1800 may be attached directly to a lens groove 2410 of goggle frame 106without adaptor 104. FIG. 24 shows a cross sectional view taken alongline 24-24 of FIG. 23, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown inFIG. 24, a top portion of lens 108 and a top portion of mud visor 1800are both inserted into the lens groove 2410 of adaptor 104. In a casewhere adaptor 104 is not used, both the top portion of lens 108 and thetop portion of mud visor 1800 may be inserted into the lens groove 2410of goggle frame 106. Because mud visor 1800 is inserted into the lensgroove 2410, mud or liquid may be prevented from entering between mudvisor 1800 and lens 108 from the top side.

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of a mud visor and a roll-off filmsystem attached to a lens and an adaptor, in accordance with anembodiment. Mud visor 1800 may extend horizontally across lens 108 toreach both film dispensing canister 202 and film receiving canister 204.In particular, as shown in FIG. 25, upper wing portion 218 of filmreceiving canister 204 may cover an end portion 1810 of mud visor 1800.Similarly, upper wing portion 212 of film dispending canister 202 maycover the other end portion of mud visor 1800. In particular, both endportions of film covering portion 1804 may transition from the overhangshape to a flat shape to fit under the respective upper wing portions212 and 218 of film dispending canister 202 and film receiving canister204. This may allow seamless coverage of mud visor 1800 from the filmdispending canister 202 to film receiving canister 204.

FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of another mud visor, in accordancewith an embodiment. Mud visor 2600 may include an inner layer 2602 andan outer layer 2606 in a double layer configuration. A spacer 2604 isdisposed between inner layer 2602 and outer layer 2602. Inner layer 2602and outer layer 2606 may both be formed with plastic films or plasticsheets by plastic stamping with thermally molding. FIG. 27 shows aperspective view of an inner layer of the double-layer mud visor of FIG.26, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 27, inner layer2602 may have a substantially similar shape and/or contour as that of atop portion of goggle lens 108. Lower, corner portions 2702 of innerlayer 2602 may have bends and configured to guide roll-off film. Cutouts2704 also are provided along the top perimeter of inner layer 2602 tomatch cutouts of lens 108.

FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of the inner layer of the double-layermud visor of FIG. 27 with a layer spacer, in accordance with anembodiment. Spacer 2604 may be provided on a front surface of innerlayer 2602. Spacer 2604 may be formed by elastic foam type material.Spacer 2604 may act as a hood for guiding and covering a top side 206 aof roll-off film 206. In some embodiments, spacer 2604 is not providedin mud visor 2600 with inner layer 2602 acting as the film guide.Referring now to FIG. 26, a top portion of outer layer 2606 may belaminated or bonded to inner layer 2602 with a lower portion of outerlayer 2606 hanging or resting freely on spacer 2604 or directly on innerlayer 2602 if spacer 2604 is not provided. As such, a top portion 206 aof roll-off film 206 may travel through a gap 2610 formed between innerlayer 2602 and outer layer 2606 when being conveyed across goggle lens108.

FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of the double-layer mud visor of FIG.26 attached to a goggle lens, in accordance an embodiment. Inner layer2602 may be attached to lens 108 by adhesives or adhesive tapes in asimilar manner as that of mud visor 1800. As shown in FIG. 26, outerlayer 2606 may extend further horizontally than inner layer 2602. Assuch, side end portions 2910 of outer layer 2606 may be inserted underfilm dispensing and receiving canisters 202 and 204, respectively. Asshown in FIG. 29, a top perimeter portion 206 a of the roll-off film 206(as shown in dashed line) may be inserted between the inner layer 2602and the outer layer 2602 below the spacer 2604.

FIG. 30 shows a perspective view of the mud visor of FIG. 26 attached tothe goggle lens and to an adaptor, in accordance an embodiment. Lens 108attached with mud visor 2600 may be inserted into a lens groove 2410 ofadaptor 104, because mud visor 2600 is formed by substantially thinplastic films or plastic sheets. Adaptor 104 may then be attached to agoggle frame 106. In some embodiments, lens 108 attached with mud visor2600 may be attached directly to a lens groove of goggle frame 106without adaptor 104. FIG. 31 shows a cross sectional view taken along31-31 of the mud visor 2600 attached to the goggle lens and the adaptorof FIG. 30, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 31, a topportion of lens 108 and a top portion of double-layer mud visor 2600 areboth inserted into the lens groove 2410 of adaptor 104. In a case whereadaptor 104 is not used, both the top portion of lens 108 and the topportion of double-layer mud visor 2600 may be inserted into the lensgroove 2410 of goggle frame 106. Because mud visor 2600 is inserted intothe lens groove 2410, mud or liquid may be prevented from enteringbetween mud visor 2600 and lens 108 from the top side. In someembodiments, both the top portion of inner layer 2602 and the topportion of outer layer 2606 are inserted into the lens groove 2410. Inother embodiments, a shorter inner layer 2602 may be provided such thatonly the top portion of outer layer 2606 is inserted into the lensgroove 2410.

FIG. 32 shows a perspective view of a double-layer mud visor and aroll-off film system attached to a lens and an adaptor, in accordancewith an embodiment. Double-layer mud visor 2600 may extend horizontallyacross lens 108 to reach both film dispensing canister 202 and filmreceiving canister 204. In particular, as shown in FIG. 32, upper wingportion 218 of film receiving canister 204 may cover an end portion 2910of mud visor 2600. Similarly, upper wing portion 212 of film dispendingcanister 202 may cover the other end portion 2910 of double-layer mudvisor 2600. In particular, both end portions 2910 of outer layer 2606may fit under the respective upper wing portions 212 and 218 of filmdispending canister 202 and film receiving canister 204. This may allowseamless coverage of mud visor 2600 from the film dispending canister202 to film receiving canister 204.

According to the above described embodiments, by forming mud visors1800/2600 using a clear or transparent plastic film or sheet, the user'sfield of view on the goggle lens may be improved. Inserting mud visor1800/2600 along with the goggle lens into the goggle frame or goggleadaptor may prevent mud or debris from entering behind the mud visor1800/2600 from the top side. In addition, the horizontal ends of the mudvisor also may be fitted under the film canisters 202 and 204 to provideseamless coverage to prevent mud from entering between the filmcanisters 202 and 204 and the mud visor.

In contrast, conventional mud visors may include a layer of plastic filmattached to a lens via a layer of opaque spacer foam which may reducethe field of view of the user. Further, the spacer foam may not beattached to the lens properly and the bubbles or creases formed in thespacer foam may allow mud to enter behind the film. Also, because thespacer foam does not stretch entirely across the lens, openings mayformed beyond the stretch of spacer foam between the film and the lensthat may allow mud to enter. Thus, improvements as described in theabove embodiments may mitigate one or more of these problems of theconventional mud visors.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with onlya limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood thatthe invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, theinvention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of theinvention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention havebeen described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention mayinclude only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, butis only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected is:
 1. An apparatuscomprising: a goggle lens; and a mud visor configured to attach to thegoggle lens to cover a top portion of the goggle lens, wherein the mudvisor comprises: a lens contacting portion configured to attach to thegoggle lens, and a film covering portion configured to cover a topportion of a roll-off film conveyed across the goggle lens.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the mud visor comprises a substantiallytransparent plastic sheet.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filmcovering portion of the mud visor further comprises: an overhang portionprotruding away from the surface of the goggle lens; and a filmcontacting portion extending from the overhang portion toward thesurface of the goggle lens.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefilm covering portion is configured to guide the roll-off film as theroll-off film is conveyed across the goggle lens.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a goggle frame, wherein a top portion of themud visor configured to insert into a lens groove of the goggle framewith the goggle lens while the goggle lens is attached to the goggleframe.
 6. The apparatus system of claim 1, further comprising: theroll-off film; a film dispensing canister configured to store anddispense the roll-off film; and a film receiving canister configured toreceive the roll-off film dispensed from the film dispensing canister,wherein the film dispensing canister and the film receiving canistercover side ends of the film covering portion of the mud visor,respectively.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the side ends of thefilm covering portion of the mud visor transition from an overhang shapeto a substantially flat shape.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein themud visor is attached to the goggle lens by a substantially transparentmaterial.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the substantiallytransparent material is applied to an perimeter area of the lenscontacting portion of the mud visor.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the film covering portion of the mud visor comprises: an innerlayer contacting the goggle lens; an outer layer covering the innerlayer; and a spacer disposed between the inner layer and the outerlayer.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the spacer comprises anelastic foam material configured to guide the roll-off film conveyedacross the goggle lens.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the topportion of the roll-off film is guided between the inner layer and theouter layer and below the spacer while the roll-off film is conveyedacross the goggle lens.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the goggleframe is an adaptor attachable to another goggle frame.
 14. A method ofattaching a mud visor to a goggle system, the method comprising:providing a goggle lens; providing a mud visor configured to attach tothe goggle lens, the mud visor comprising: a lens contacting portionconfigured to attach to the goggle lens, and a film covering portionconfigured to cover a top portion of a roll-off film conveyed across thegoggle lens; and attaching the lens contacting portion of the mud visorto a top portion of the goggle lens.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinthe attaching comprises: applying adhesive material along a perimeterportion of the lens contacting portion of the mud visor, aligning a topperimeter edge of the mud visor with a top perimeter edge of the gogglelens, and adhering the lens contacting portion of the mud visor to thetop portion of the goggle lens; and the method further comprisesinserting the goggle lens along with a top portion of the mud visor intoa lens groove of a goggle frame.
 16. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: attaching a roll-off film system to the goggle lens, whereinthe roll-off film system comprises: the roll-off film, a film dispensingcanister configured to store and dispense the roll-off film, and a filmreceiving canister configured to receive the roll-off film dispensedfrom the film dispensing canister; and covering respective end portionsof the mud visor with the film dispensing canister and the filmreceiving canister.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:stretching the roll-off film dispensed between the film dispensingcanister and the film receiving canister across the goggle lens; andinserting a top portion of the roll-off film under a lower portion ofthe mud visor.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising conveyingthe roll-off film across the goggle lens from a film dispensing canisterto a film receiving canister.
 19. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising guiding the top portion of the roll-off film along the mudvisor as the roll-off film is conveyed across the goggle lens.
 20. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising attaching the goggle frame toanother goggle frame.